Investigation of Submerged Aquatic Macrophytes in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar District of Maharashtra

Abstract

Aquatic macrophytes, commonly known as hydrophytes, play a crucial role in providing structural habitat that influences fish communities. This, in turn, allows zooplankton and other macro-invertebrates to exert a top-down control on algal growth, a process that is largely unaffected by the nutrient levels in the water body. Nevertheless, their populations face significant threats from factors such as eutrophication, sewage discharge, and industrial pollutants. Additionally, seasonal variations can lead to a notable decline in the diversity of these aquatic plants. Therefore, it is vital to establish baseline data to evaluate these impacts and ensure the health of aquatic ecosystems.
A comprehensive survey was conducted to assess the presence of submerged macrophyte populations in the waterways of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar District, with meticulous documentation of the results. The findings reveal that the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district boasts a rich diversity of submerged macrophytes. Notably, the district is distinguished by its significant representation of a remarkable variety of submerged macrophytes, comprising 24 species across 9 families. The study indicates that the Hydrocharitaceae family is the most prevalent, featuring 12 species, followed by Potamogetonaceae with 3 species, Ceratophyllaceae and Haloragaceae with 2 species each, and Characeae, Fabaceae, Nymphaeaceae, and Pontederiaceae families, each represented by 1 species.